United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

FORMER CONNECTICUT DOT EMPLOYEE PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL BRIBERY CONSPIRACY CHARGE

Nora R. Dannehy, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CHRISTOPHER GALLUCCI, 49, of Southington, waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Mark R. Kravitz in New Haven to one count of conspiracy to solicit and accept corrupt payments and impede the functions of the Internal Revenue Service.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, GALLUCCI was an employee of the Connecticut Department of Transportation’s (ConnDot) Bureau of Engineering and Highway Operations Office of Construction, District Office 3 in New Haven.  In January 2007, GALLUCCI became an Assistant District Engineer in District 3, which covers the southern part of Connecticut, specifically areas in Fairfield and New Haven Counties.  A District Office has responsibility over construction inspection; surveys; administrative functions, including payment to contractors; and contractor compliance.

In pleading guilty, GALLUCCI has admitted that, beginning in October 1997, he and others entered into an unlawful arrangement whereby GALLUCCI and others began to receive things of value – including trips, hotel accommodations, meals, and cash – from an officer of a company doing business with ConnDot, with the intent to be influenced and rewarded in connection with the business of ConnDot.  In furtherance of the conspiracy, GALLUCCI and others corruptly provided favorable treatment to the company doing business with ConnDot, including but not limited to facilitating payments to the contractor, and allowing the contractor to benefit from a favorable lease arrangement to the detriment of the State of Connecticut.

In addition, between approximately October 1997 and October 2003, GALLUCCI and others were silent members of a business with officers of the same company doing business with ConnDot.  As a silent member, GALLUCCI’s share in the business was concealed, and he did not bear any financial risk associated with the business.  At times, an officer of the company doing business with ConnDot made financial contributions to the business for GALLUCCI, with GALLUCCI only periodically reimbursing the officer for some of the contributions.  During the existence of the business venture, GALLUCCI received periodic cash payouts from an officer of the company doing business with ConnDot and, at the time of the sale of the business, GALLUCCI received a cash payout of approximately $8,000.

In total, GALLUCCI has admitted that he received bribes in the total amount of $29,512.28, on which he failed to pay taxes.

Judge Kravitz has scheduled sentencing for September 26, 2008, at which time GALLUCCI faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years and a fine of up to $250,000.  GALLUCCI also must pay to the IRS back taxes, penalties and interest in the approximate amount of $20,000.

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Transportation – Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division.  The case is being prosecuted by Acting United States Attorney Nora R. Dannehy.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov